Indigent respondents
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued new guidelines which are aimed at helping indigent respondents and decongesting the country’s jails and detention facilities.
Under the new guidelines, state prosecutors, in cases involving indigent respondents, shall only indicate 50% of the recommended bail or P10,000, whichever is lower.
Admittedly, many poor Filipinos, particularly those in the countryside, facing bailable charges are still languishing in jail because of their inability to post bail set by the courts.
“Wala nga silang maibili ng kanin, ulam at gamot,” a barangay official said, “eh ‘yon pa kayang pang-piyansa nila para lang pansamantalang makalabas sa kulungan.”
That’s why the issuance of the DOJ guidelines, which is expected to result to the release of many detained individuals across the country, is a “welcome move.”
The new guidelines apply to all cases undergoing inquest or preliminary investigation of indigents but they do not include those punishable by death or life imprisonment.
Of course, as well-meaning Filipinos, we cannot overemphasize the importance of helping indigent respondents.
Certainly, President Marcos’ government, which ends on June 30, 2028, is pro-poor as shown by its top priorities, including going after those involved in hoarding and profiteering.
With the help of other government agencies and the general public, the DOJ is employing all means to lighten the burden of poor people facing court cases.
We are all for this.
